Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program

The North Carolina Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) are part of the NC OSH Division's five year strategic management plan for which its two principal goals are: 1) to reduce the state's workplace fatality rate by at least 2%; and 2) to reduce the state's non-fatal injury and illness rate by at least 5%. For each SEP that applies to a specific industrial sector, similar goals for reducing the fatality rate and/or non-fatal injury and illness rate are applied.

SEP: Occupational Exposure to Health Hazards

Tab/Accordion Items

What are the goals of the health hazards special emphasis program (SEP)?

  • Conduct emphasis inspection, training and consultation activity in establishments where employees might be exposed to health hazards such as lead, silica, asbestos, hexavalent chromium and isocyanates.

What industries are covered by this SEP?

  • General industry establishments and construction worksites where employees may be exposed to one or more of the following substances:

What are the principal hazard categories on which this SEP is focused?

Injuries and illnesses attributed to the substances covered by this SEP are the result of one or more of the following health effects:

  • Eye and skin irritation
  • Eye and skin corrosion
  • Chemical hypersensitization
  • Acute toxicity
  • Chronic toxicity
  • Carcinogenicity

What regulations apply to this SEP?

OSH has adopted the following regulations that govern the requirements for protection against the hazards associated with occupational exposure to health hazards.  Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

General Industry

Construction

Maritime, Shipyard Employment 

General Duty Clause

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more about this SEP?

Compliance Documents

Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 135, Special Emphasis Programs for Health Hazards, describes the conduct of inspections and associated activities under this SEP.

Pre-Recorded Webinar

Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program provides an overview of this SEP.